Process of manufacturing paper



-AKIRA IMAOKA, 0F TOKYG, JAPAN.

, PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING PAPER.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AKIRA IMAOKA, subject of the Emperor of Japan, residing at N o. 26 Matsushiro Clio, Itcho'me, Honjo Kn, city of Tokyo, Japan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Processes of Manufacturing Paper, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to a process of manufacturing tough paper from the outer bark of abaca by boiling the same in a weak solution of, caustic alkali, thereby gelatinizing the non-fibrous part thereof and then by beating the same by any suitable known method. The object of this invention is to utilize the peculiar kind of pectine, contained in the bark of abaca, which gelatinizcs by action of weak alkaline solution, and to obtain stiff, tough paper without using any sizing material.

The inventor is aware that the fibers which constitute the stem of abaca, generally known as manila hemp. are used as material for manufiwturing paper. However, not only issuch material very expensive, but the paper manufzu-turtul therefrom is very rough and not stiff; and unless subjected to a special mechanical treatment, compact and stiff qualities cannot be given to the manufacture. Thus such paper can only be used for special purposes and the sphere of its usefulness is very limited.

Now, I have found that the outer bark of abaca which is generally thrown away,

when to manufacture manila. hemp from the plant, contains besides fiber a special kind of pcctine which when acted upon byan alkali, gelatinizes and expands, and forms an insoluble substance rich in viscous property. I take advantage ,of this property of outer bark of ahaca for manufacturing paper therefrom. According to my invention the aforesaid gelatinized substance covers every fiber, and a very tough and compact paper most suitable for industrial purposes is very easily and cheaply obtained Without using any sizing material.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 9, 1920.

Application filed July 9, 1919. Serial No. 309,760.

The following is an example of carrying my invention into practice Take outer bark of abaca, steep in Water and then boil it with or without pressure in from 2 to 5% solution of caustic soda. The fibers will thus be separated from the bark and at the same time the non-fibrous portion being ge-latinized and expanded, the fibers will become very adhesive. Then wash the fibers in a beater or the like with fresh water and cleanse them from any foreign matters intermingled therewith, and beat them, and these fibers covered with viscous gelatinized substance as mentioned above will be obtained. lVith the fibers thus prepared, paper is manufactured according to any known suitable method.

ii'itherto 'pulp has been manufactured with the inner bark or stem of plants. But according to my invention, the outer bark of abaca which has been hitherto considered useless, is turned to advantage, and the peculiar kind of pectlne contained therein is made to serve as a sizing material by causing the same to gelatinize. 'Thu's not. only is the cost of manufacture very small,

but the work is very simple; and the product obtained is a hard, tough paper, impervious to water to a great extent, and is inost suitable as wrapping paper, and for manufac' turing imitation leather, floor covering, and for other industrial purposes.

A process of manufacturing paper characterized by boiling the outer bark of abaca. in a solution of caustic alkali, thereby causing the non-fibrous part of the bark to gelatinize and by causing the gelatin like substance thus obtained to cover the fibers. substantially as and for the purposes here-' inbeforeset forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

AKIRA I'MAOKA. 

